UConn's Whitmer kept battling, but time came for a change

Chris Elsberry

Updated 12:33 am, Thursday, October 3, 2013

EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Wormley #43 of the Michigan Wolverines chases Chandler Whitmer #10 of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field on September 21, 2013 in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Photo: Jim Rogash, Getty Images

EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Wormley #43 of the Michigan...

Buffalo defensive back Adam Redden (29) forces a fumble on Connecticut quarterback Chandler Whitmer (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Photo: Mike Groll, Associated Press

Buffalo defensive back Adam Redden (29) forces a fumble on...

Buffalo defensive back Adam Redden (29) forces a fumble on Connecticut quarterback Chandler Whitmer (10) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Photo: Mike Groll, Associated Press

Buffalo defensive back Adam Redden (29) forces a fumble on...

Connecticut quarterback Chandler Whitmer (10) passes under pressure from Buffalo defensive lineman Colby Way (34) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y.
Photo: Mike Groll, AP

For the past 16 games dating back to the start of last season, Chandler Whitmer has taken a licking and kept on ticking.

And if he hadn't battled like he did, who knows just how dismal the Huskies' 2012 season might have been? UConn went into the final game trying to become bowl eligible, and although they fell short, the Huskies' five wins were largely on account of Whitmer's tenacity.

But tenacity only takes you so far, and new interim head coach T.J. Weist announced Tuesday that he's replacing Whitmer with true freshman Tim Boyle. Boyle will start against South Florida at Rentschler Field on Oct. 12.

"Chandler Whitmer has exhibited outstanding character and integrity since the day I stepped on to this campus and even before I got here," Weist said in a statement released by the university Wednesday. "He has worked extremely hard, put in a lot of hours at his craft, and done everything in his power to help this team be successful.

"We all know the quarterback takes an unfair amount of criticism when a team loses. To Chandler's credit, he has handled the criticism with class and dignity. He has done everything in his power to improve and do the best job possible. We haven't always put him in the best position to be successful, having had multiple injuries at the wide receiver and the offensive line positions, and to his credit, he has not complained. He's gone out and battled every game for this team."

Whitmer, who is Boyle's roommate, threw for 2,664 yards last season, completing 208 of 361 passes. He threw nine touchdown passes but was intercepted 16 times and sacked 33 times.

Over the opening four games of 2013, Whitmer was 71 of 129 for 896 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. He was sacked 20 times.

"We feel like at this time we need to give Tim a chance to play and see if he can provide a spark for our team," Weist said. "He has been working hard and deserves an opportunity to show what he can do. Chandler is still a big factor and leader on this team, and we know that he will continue to prepare as if he's the starter and when his number is called, he will be ready to help this team in whatever capacity is needed.

"He's been a great mentor to Tim up to this point, and given his integrity and character, we know he will continue to do whatever it takes to help Tim and this team be successful."

As a senior at Xavier, the 6-foot-4 Boyle passed for close to 2,500 yards and threw 24 touchdown passes in leading the Falcons to their third consecutive Class LL title. He also rushed for 295 yards on 60 carries (4.9 average) and scored five touchdowns.

A pro-style, read-option quarterback with a strong arm, Boyle came to UConn after backing out of his initial commitment to attend Boston College.

All throughout preseason camp, Boyle worked with Whitmer trying to learning the offense. And in those early days, Whitmer couldn't help but notice Boyle's potential.

"He's a great player, no doubt about that, but I've got a couple of years on him," Whitmer said during the preseason. "It takes time to experience things. These mistakes that happen in games, that's the only way you can get that experience. For me, that's something I've valued -- game reps. You know, he's a great player, he's working hard and I think he's got a bright future."